Dangerous Charisma by Jerrold Post

DANGEROUS CHARISMA by Jerrold Post is about “The Political Psychology of Donald Trump and His Followers.” We have heard SO much about that in the past few weeks as the 2024 election cycle ramps up. It is extremely disconcerting. Post, who served multiple decades with the CIA and was the founding director of the Center for the Analysis of Personality and Political Behavior, divided his text into three sections: the Charismatic Leader, the Political Psychology of Trump’s Followers, and Trump’s Impact. In a chapter titled “The Quintessential Narcissist,” Post noted traits like inability to empathize with others, no constraint of conscience, paranoid orientation, unconstrained aggression, underlying insecurity, and extreme sensitivity to slight; he included numerous and varied examples relating to Trump. In a later section Post noted, “there is a quality of mutual intoxication for both sides, whereby Trump reassures his followers who in turn reassure him of his self-worth.” Another chapter, called “Permission to Hate,” chronicles how Trump’s “derogatory language has the power to inspire hate crimes” and “using hateful rhetoric toward already discriminated against groups helps make a climate where hate is more acceptable.” Numerous statistics support these assertions. This text was published in 2019 so that was prior to January 6, 2021. Post did not see that day (he died in late 2020), but in this book he acknowledged the possibility of Trump not accepting the election results. Post’s wife says, “He felt … that psychiatrists have a duty to warn.” Unfortunately, we see much of what Post predicted coming to the forefront of American politics again. Kirkus summed up DANGEROUS CHARISMA well: “A damning study of Trump’s mind that goes a long way toward explaining some damnably odd behavior.” More recently, The Washington Post published an article titled “Science is revealing why American politics are so intensely polarized” which, like Jerrold Post, turns to political psychology for explanations. It discusses tribalism and “othering, aversion, and moralization” to activate emotional responses.

Oath and Honor by Liz Cheney

OATH AND HONOR by Liz Cheney is a text which every American should read. This memoir (and a warning, as it is subtitled) sold out on its release day in early December and has been topping sales charts since then. Cheney, a former Congesswoman from Wyoming and previously part of the Republican Party’s leadership, lays out events leading up to the January 6th 2021 insurrection and the subsequent House investigation for which she was Vice Chair. Her perspective is detailed and unique due to the many contacts which she and her family have in the political and legal sphere. The events which she recounts are disturbing, particularly the unprincipled stance from so many of her colleagues. Throughout the remainder of this election season, we will all have an opportunity to educate ourselves, to reflect on true American and Constitutional values, and ultimately to make informed decisions in the upcoming primaries and general elections. Read and decide for yourself; here is an interview with Cheney about OATH AND HONOR from the PBS NewsHour:

If you would like to hear and see more of her book talk and reading at Politics and Prose in DC, click here or read a review from The Washington Post. More perspective is available in RENEGADE by Adam Kinzinger from Illinois.

Mr. Texas by Lawrence Wright

MR. TEXAS by Lawrence Wright, a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, offers a penetrating look at Texas politics and at the compromises involved in a marriage. The main character is a rancher, Sonny Lamb, from West Texas who performs a heroic action that draws attention from L.D. Sparks, a cynical and wily political operative. In fact, “when the attorney general, a pious crook, was caught fixing up a girlfriend with a well-paying job with a real estate developer in exchange for settling and damaging lawsuit, L.D. not only managed to quash the whistleblower complaint, he got the AG's wife elected to the Texas Senate.” Soon, Sonny is embroiled in this world, splitting his time between the state capital in Austin (where he has been elected to the legislature) and his ranch where he and wife Lola are trying to conceive their first child. Along the way, readers are treated to more of Wright’s biting comments about political practice in the Lone Star State; take your pick:

“‘Crazy ideas can turn into crazy public policy,’ said Wanda [Sonny’s aide]. ‘History is one long struggle for sanity.’”

“A pro-choice bill has about as much chance in the Texas Legislature as a kangaroo in a hockey rink.”

“‘And a shitload of new voting restrictions,’ said Gilbert. ‘When are you guys gonna start believing in democracy?’ ‘Democracy is fine as long as the right people vote,’ said Carl.”

Sadly, many of Wright’s references are reflected in the actual state politics like media influence: “A common affliction among billionaires is the belief that money equals wisdom. To share his abundant opinions, Mr. Peeples started his own radio station.” Or regarding Governor Greg Abbott’s efforts to limit local regulation, as also profiled here and here in The Texas Tribune. One idea Wright missed? A chance to showcase the MAGA work from Mothers Against Greg Abbott – thought provoking and clever commercials from a grassroots group. Combining satire and humor with social justice themes, MR. TEXAS appears on The New York Times’ list of 34 Works of Fiction to Read This Fall. 

One Person, One Vote by Nick Seabrook

ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE by Nick Seabrook is a recent addition to the many texts on voting rights and restrictions. Here, Seabrook, a professor in the department of political science and public administration at the University of North Florida, describes “A Surprising History of Gerrymandering in America.” He begins with a quote from Thomas Hofeller, a Republican strategist, which says: “Redistricting is like an election in reverse! Usually the voters get to pick the politicians. In redistricting, the politicians get to pick the voters!”  Seabrook briefly touches on “rotten boroughs” in thirteenth century England and then shares chilling tales involving the vindictive rule of George Burrington during the 1730s in North Carolina. He moves forward in time to the 1830s, when a salamander-shaped district drawn in Massachusetts was proposed to help elect Governor Elbridge Gerry’s Democratic-Republican Party. The nickname "Gerrymander" was coined and has been used since, especially in describing Democratic efforts in California in the 1980s and more recently Republican efforts in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. 

Seabrook eventually circles back to Hofeller, detailing his involvement as a “key figure” in the REDMAP project which “utilize[d] sophisticated computer software … and highly granular data on the voting population, to manipulate district boundaries with a level of precision and microtargeting never before seen in American history.” Late last year, The New York Times also described district boundary changes in Illinois (resulting in Adam Kinzinger deciding not to run for re-election) and in Texas. Often, it is judicial review and the more recent events which are of greatest interest to our students, but Seabrook provides some fascinating details about prior times, too, like Felix Frankfurter’s opinions in the 1930s and Barbara Jordan, Curtis Graves, and Lauro Cruz’s efforts to be elected in 1960s Texas. Seabrook advocates for more non-partisan efforts and independent commissions (see map for some information). ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE has been characterized as dense and it does have a scholarly tone, but received a starred review from Library Journal. For related information on this topic, see One Person, No Vote by Carol Anderson in addition to the roughly twenty pages of sources listed in Seabrook’s extensive bibliography.

Mysteries: The Guest List & The Voter File

School is out and that feels like time to totally relax and escape with a couple of absolutely great mystery thrillers.

THE GUEST LIST by Lucy Foley is a tantalizing mystery with an eerie, almost gothic setting on an island in the midst of a brewing storm AND a cast of characters with plenty of motives for murder. Foley, a best-selling author who lives in London, was recommended by Library Journal for “fans of Agatha Christie, Louise Penny, and Ruth Rendell [who] will absolutely love this book, which doesn't reveal its secrets until the very last page.”  I totally concur.

A scream of terror on the wedding night is relayed by an unnamed narrator, but past history and most events leading up to the wedding itself are cleverly told from the perspective of the wedding party (Jules, the bride, Olivia, her sister and bridesmaid, Johnno, the best man and school-mate to Will, the groom), the plus one (Hannah, married to Charlie, a childhood friend of Jules) and the wedding planner (Aoife, who is trying to make a go with her husband of holding weddings and parties on the island). Jules is a competitive, successful business woman and Will is an adventurous television star – two ambitious people who seemed well-matched, except why did Jules get that anonymous note encouraging her not to marry Will? What are the causes of dysfunctional and strained relationships between friends and family members? Who is in danger and why? A LibraryReads selection, Foley’s THE GUEST LIST is saturated with tension and secrets that kept me up and turning pages – enjoy!

THE VOTER FILE by David Pepper is book three in his Jack Sharpe series, but I enjoyed it so much, I wish I had started with the other two.  In this latest installment, Sharpe is contacted by a young campaign staffer, Tori Justice, who is trying to get a story published about voting patterns and irregularities.  He’s dismissive at first, but gradually they come to trust each other. Much of the action takes place in battleground states in the Midwest and action it is – kidnapping, car chases, cyber-espionage, with foreign agents and organized crime involvement.  Clearly, Pepper has produced an involved plot and there are plenty of twists for Tori, Jack, and Olivia (another reporter and former colleague) to unravel. THE VOTER FILE is an exciting and fun read filled with political allusions and economic implications. Pepper’s varied and relevant experience (elected Chairman of the Democratic Party of Ohio in 2015) means readers will be working to solve the mystery while also wondering just how much do political parties manipulate us based on what they know about our personal lives and opinions.